wills

USAGE SUMMARY

'wills' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means "to decide or intend to do or have something." For example: "She wills herself to get out of bed and start the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But he did.The question, then, is whether Mr Wills would be willing to say that progressives might have been better off in 2008 had Mr Obama set aside his campaign and all his empty lyrical nonsense about "change we can believe", and devoted himself instead to pushing an effectively unchallenged Ms Clinton to the left from outside the race.

The Economist

The continual, daily surprise was that Parker was a creature of her own wills, moods and curiosities.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It didn't work out that way, as a tight tussle with Roddick turned into a battle of wills and Murray could find no answer to the No 6 seed's rocket serve at speeds of up to 143mph.

The Guardian - Sport

But the current crisis is born not of a clash between Brussels and the member states but a clash between the democratic wills of citizens in northern and southern Europe, the so-called centre and periphery.

The Guardian - Opinion

They must be unaware that the builders of the Dome, which was also justified as an inspiration to the nation's youth, long ago showed that reliance on this word, outside the context of wills, dependably identifies both the speaker and the alleged inheritance as worthless.

The Guardian - Opinion

Enemies accused him of preying on affluent elderly people in the hope of being remembered in their wills, and of "sucking the provinces dry" by lending money at a steep rate of interest to those in the distant parts of the empire, including the unhappy inhabitants of Boudicca's Britain.

The Guardian - Books

He was previously chairman of Remember a Charity, a consortium of over 145 charities promoting gifts in wills.

The Guardian

After all, the only thing Ms Warren's candidacy might achieve would be "to hold Hillary Clinton's feet to the fire on populist issues", and she is already doing this, writes Mr Wills.

The Economist

It is helped by a comparatively simple corporate structure: its foreign operations are small, and it does hardly any investment banking.Some bankers concede that drafting living wills has helped them rationalise their businesses by weeding out "junk DNA" in the form of defunct subsidiaries tied to forgotten deals.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Former NSW Labor minister Jodi McKay wept at a corruption inquiry on Thursday after being told of evidence that an anonymous smear campaign against her 2011 re-election campaign was orchestrated by another former Labor minister, Joe Tripodi, his staffer Ann Wills and mining magnate Nathan Tinkler.

The Guardian

She broke down when counsel assisting the inquiry, Greg O'Mahoney, told her that Icac "had information" that the smear campaign was engineered by Tripodi, Wills and the Tinkler Group.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In the context of personal determination, the plural "wills" can represent the collective force of individual desires and intentions. Use it to convey a sense of combined purpose and resolve.

Common error

Avoid confusing the plural noun "wills" (legal documents) with the possessive form "Will's" (belonging to Will). For example, "drafting wills" is correct, while "drafting Will's will" indicates a specific person named Will.

Linguistic Context

The word "wills" primarily functions as a plural noun, referring either to multiple legal documents specifying the distribution of assets after death, or to a collective expression of desire or determination. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in various contexts, from legal agreements to personal resolutions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "wills" is a versatile word used primarily as a plural noun, denoting either legal documents that dictate asset distribution or a collective expression of intent. Ludwig's examples reveal that it's commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, reflecting its importance in legal and economic discussions. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct. It's crucial to differentiate "wills" from the possessive "Will's". To enhance clarity, particularly in legal discussions, consider using "last wills". Alternatives like "testaments" or "estate plans" can provide a more specific connotation. Remember to use "wills" to refer to the plural form, especially when outlining the instructions for asset distribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Testaments

Refers specifically to legal documents outlining the distribution of assets after death.

Last wills

Emphasizes the finality and legal binding of the documents.

Estate plans

Focuses on the broader strategy of managing and distributing assets.

Bequests

Highlights the act of leaving something to someone in a will.

Inheritances

Concentrates on the assets received through a will.

Intentions

Shifts the focus to the desires and purposes behind actions or decisions.

Desires

Highlights personal wishes and preferences.

Volitions

Emphasizes the act of making a conscious decision or choice.

Resolutions

Implies a firm decision to do something.

Determinations

Focuses on the firmness and resolve in making a decision.

FAQs

How are "wills" used in a legal context?

In legal terms, "wills" refer to documents that specify how a person's assets should be distributed after their death. These legal /s/testaments outline the beneficiaries and the process of inheritance.

What's the difference between "wills" and "intentions"?

"Wills" can refer to legal documents or a collective expression of /s/intentions. Intentions are more general desires or plans, while wills, in the legal sense, are formalized and legally binding.

When should I use "last wills" instead of just "wills"?

Using "last wills" emphasizes the final and legally binding nature of the /s/testaments. It's particularly useful when you need to distinguish the current document from any previous versions.

What are some alternatives to "battle of wills"?

Instead of "battle of wills", you could use phrases like "clash of /s/intentions", "struggle for dominance", or "conflict of /s/desires", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.